mr hh 25 pt IV

Growing up, the artist and his playmates often found themselves navigating strict social hierarchies in their miniature worlds. The possession of a coveted toy (a ball, a bicycle, or even the inflatable tube of a tire used to float on water for example) placed one at the apex of the social order. Those displaying exceptional speed, strength, or intellect also ascended the hierarchy. This enduring culture of competition ingrained in childhood experiences persists today, despite the evolution of games in the digital age, and still translates into our stratified societies. In a similar vein, the use of wax in the artworks, paired with the oversized sun radiating dancing rays, vividly evokes the myth of Icarus.

Through the universal language of innocent games, Rechmaoui proposes a playful exhibition that offers a new perspective on power dynamics. It invites viewers to reminisce about their own early memories, but to also reconsider the intersection of childhood ingenuity and societal complexity.